Long Table 153. The Gallic Connection: Roman Coinage, Silver Bullion, and the Via Domitia

In the late second century BCE, the Roman presence in Southern Gaul led to the development of the colony of Narbo Martius (modern Narbonne, France) and the building of the Via Domitia. How did the Roman state come up with financial and practical solutions for carrying out these ambitious building programs? What were the expected benefits? Charles Parisot-Sillon, Associate Professor in Ancient History at the University of Orléans, France, will discuss the case of the silver coinage traditionally associated with the foundation of Narbo Martius. Building on numismatic, archaeological, and archaeometric evidence, he will offer a new historical narrative emphasizing the contribution of private Italian companies in the consolidation of Roman interests in Southern Gaul.